Eastern White Cedar (Arborvitae) vs Canada Plum & American Plum - TreeTime.ca

Eastern White Cedar (Arborvitae) vs Canada Plum & American Plum

Prunus nigra and americana

Thuja occidentalis

Canada Plum & American Plum
Eastern White Cedar (Arborvitae)

Canada and American Plum are almost identical in appearance and growth needs. These plants are short and stout fruit trees native to North America.

This hardy ornamental is excellent for both city dwellings as well as rural areas. During the spring, the white and pink blossoms are long lasting. The tasty fruit is suitable for fresh eating, baking, and preserves. These trees are not widely distributed and pure seed can be hard to come by.

Both are commonly used as rootstock and are considered universal pollinizers for other plum varieties.

Eastern White Cedar is a slender growing conifer often used as a decorative tree or a hedge. This tree is an effective privacy screen even in winter and a great long term solution to urban crowding or a drab yard.

Canada Plum & American Plum Quick Facts

Eastern White Cedar (Arborvitae) Quick Facts

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Zone: 2b
Zone: 2b
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Fall colour: attractive yellow, gold
Bark: grey and scaly with age
Bark: gray to reddish brown, flat connected ridges
Flowers: white
Fruit: under 1 inch round yellow fruits with red blush to completely red, tart skin with sweet flesh
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: MB, ON, QC, NB
Native to: MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: american plum, black plum, canada plum, horse plum, wild plum
Other Names: american arborvitae, eastern arborvitae, northern white cedar